照る|てるteru[1]atamadaka (head-high)

JLPT N2approx.Common
Definitions
  1. godan verb, intransitive verbto shine
    降ふっても照てっても明日あすは出発しゅっぱつします。↗
    Rain or shine, I will start tomorrow.
  2. godan verb, intransitive verbto look slightly upward (of a noh mask; indicating joy, etc.)from 面照る
Conjugation
Dictionary form照る(てる)
Polite (masu)照ります(てります)
Negative (nai)照らない(てらない)
polite (masen)照りません(てりません)
classical zu / nu照らず・照らぬ(てらず・てらぬ)
Past (ta)照った(てった)
polite (mashita)照りました(てりました)
Past negative (nakatta)照らなかった(てらなかった)
polite (masen deshita)照りませんでした(てりませんでした)
Te form照って(てって)
Potential照れる(てれる)
Passive照られる(てられる)
Causative照らせる(てらせる)
Causative passive照らせられる・照らされる(てらせられる・てらされる)
Conditional (ba)照れば(てれば)
tara照ったら(てったら)
Volitional照ろう(てろう)
polite (mashou)照りましょう(てりましょう)
Imperative照れ(てれ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Transitive / intransitive pair
intransitive照るてる⇄transitive照らすてらす
日ひが照てる
照る describes a light source shining on its own (日が照る), while 照らす takes an object and focuses on illuminating that target (懐中電灯が道を照らす).

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym射すさすNeutralNeutral. Light shining in, as in 「日が射す」; the focus is on the direction the light travels, while 「照る」 is about the sun itself shining.
  • Synonym輝くかがやくNeutralNeutral. To shine brilliantly or glitter, also figuratively to win glory, as in 「優勝に輝く」, while 「照る」 is for the sun or moon shining.
  • Synonym光るひかるNeutralNeutral. To emit light or glow, as in 「星が光る」; also figuratively to stand out for talent — a use 「照る」 doesn't have.
  • Synonym差すさすNeutralNeutral. For light shining in, or a color tinting the surface, as in 「頬に赤みが差す」 — a range 「照る」 does not cover.
  • Related光り輝くひかりかがやくWrittenWritten/formal prose. To glitter dazzlingly; stronger in tone than 「輝く」, and much more literary than the neutral 「照る」.
  • RelatedきらめくWrittenWritten/formal prose. To glitter or twinkle, as in 「星が煌めく」; a literary word with poetic beauty, unlike the plain 「照る」.
  • Antonym曇るくもるNeutralNeutral. To cloud over, the sky covered with clouds; the direct opposite of 「照る」 with the sun shining.
  • Antonym陰るかげるNeutralNeutral. To darken as sunlight is blocked by clouds, or as day fades; the opposite of 「照る」.

Use 「照る」 for the sun or moon shining and for sunny weather, as in 「日が照る」. For light streaming in, pick 「射す」 or 「差す」; for glittering brilliance 「輝く」 or 「光り輝く」; for emitting light 「光る」; for twinkling 「煌めく」. For overcast skies use 「曇る」 or 「陰る」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese definitions
  1. 太陽たいよう・月つきが出でて明あかるくなる。
  2. 1 から天気てんきが晴はれる。
  3. 光ひかりを反射はんしゃして輝かがやく。
Kanji in this word

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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